Thousands of people took on the 2026 edition of Swim Serpentine in London’s Hyde Park on Saturday (September 19) including Mike Ashton from Oundle.

Swim Serpentine is the UK’s most iconic open water swimming festival, with participants taking on a range of distances – half a mile, one-mile, two-miles or six-miles – in the famous Serpentine Lake.

Among the 4,600 people in the water was quadriplegic Mike Ashton, who completed his first two-mile swim, seven years after a cycling accident left him paralysed from the chest down.

Fundraising for the spinal cord injury charity Back Up, Mike took on Swim Serpentine by using a swimming technique adapted to his disability – swimming on his back and propelling himself through the water with his arms alone.

Mike Ashton of Oundle completes Swim Serpentine on Saturday 19th September 2026 (Credit: Ian Walton for London Marathon Events)

placeholder image — Mike Ashton of Oundle completes Swim Serpentine on Saturday 19th September 2026 (Credit: Ian Walton for London Marathon Events)

Mike said: "Living with a spinal cord injury changes things, there's no getting away from that. But it doesn't mean life stops. It means you plan more, adapt and find different ways to do things.”

Ben Craddock, event lead of Swim Serpentine, said: “This was the ninth edition of Swim Serpentine, with more than 4,600 people taking part, and it was fantastic to see so many swimmers enjoying the event in the heart of London.

“Swim Serpentine is a special event, bringing together swimmers of all abilities – from experienced open-water swimmers to those taking part for the first time.

"It says a lot about the appeal of the event that so many people return year after year, while we continue to welcome increasing numbers of first timers.

“Our work with communities and charities like the Black Swimming Association is helping to break down barriers, encourage more people to get active and offer people opportunities to experience the benefits of open water swimming.

“We hope everyone taking part in Swim Serpentine has had a fantastic day and we hope to see them again next year.”

Among the attractions out of the water at Swim Serpentine was the ‘Ripple Effect’ activation highlighting community and environmental conservation at this year’s event.

The sculpture, designed by Bridge Creative, showed swimmers diving into a pool of water – all of which has been created using river trash and reclaimed waste materials.

The sculpture aims to encourage people to care for open water swim spots, such as the Serpentine, and to dispose of rubbish responsibly.